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Letter to John N. Coleman, April 21, 1862

01

Your very highly appreciated and welcome favor of the 7th inst. was received this morning with many good wishes and affectionate feelings for the dear writer.

I have not been as punctual in writing as I ought to have been, but will try and do better in future. It is true that I have plenty of time and nothing to bother me, but you know sometimes one does not feel like writing even to their nearest and dearest friends[,] especially when they have but very little to write about, and such has been my case for some time past, but at the same time I think as kind and affectionate feelings for you as when I used to write twice a week.

You have a good deal to hinder you from writing as often as you otherwise would, but you must still continue to steal a few moments every week to write, for your letter always cheers me up more than anything in the world, except seeing you about a dozen times during the course of a year. Try and bear up with those who persist in giving you trouble until next June, and then you must stay at home and enjoy some peace of mind, at least for a while. Since writing last I have reconsidered the matter relative to your reenlisting, and I beg of you not to enter the service again. You will perhaps think I have lost my patriotism, but my country is as dear to me as ever, but first in my affections is God, secondly you and then my country.

Your very highly appreciated and welcome favor of the 7th inst. was received this morning with many good wishes and affectionate feelings for the dear writer.

I have not been as punctual in writing as I ought to have been, but will try and do better in future. It is true that I have plenty of time and nothing to bother me, but you know sometimes one does not feel like writing even to their nearest and dearest friends[,] especially when they have but very little to write about, and such has been my case for some time past, but at the same time I think as kind and affectionate feelings for you as when I used to write twice a week.

You have a good deal to hinder you from writing as often as you otherwise would, but you must still continue to steal a few moments every week to write, for your letter always cheers me up more than anything in the world, except seeing you about a dozen times during the course of a year. Try and bear up with those who persist in giving you trouble until next June, and then you must stay at home and enjoy some peace of mind, at least for a while. Since writing last I have reconsidered the matter relative to your reenlisting, and I beg of you not to enter the service again. You will perhaps think I have lost my patriotism, but my country is as dear to me as ever, but first in my affections is God, secondly you and then my country.

I was truly glad to hear that Col. Greer's regiment had been ordered to Corinth. In a few days you will be engaged in the greatest battle ever fought upon the continent, and oh, what anxiety will be felt until after it is over and I hear that [you] are safe. I pray that God may attend you and protect you through the battle, and return you safely home to anxious and loving hearts next June.

Poor creature, I know you were sick and wearied after the battle at Elkhorn, to sleep upon the cold ground with your horse tied to your arm and that too in sight of the enemy. May you never have to suffer so much from cold and hunger again, is my prayer. Have you entirely recovered from your sickness? I fear you will be afflicted with the bronchitis this spring, in consequence of being as often exposed.

You recollect knowing of M.P. Johnson raising a regiment? He raised twenty companies, five of which withdrew, and listed Mr. Moore of San Augustine as their Col. Mr. Whaley, Mr. Davis and John & George belong to this regiment. They are ordered to take their time of march for Arkansas, and from there I think they will be ordered to Corinth.

Do you recollect the evening I saw you at Mrs H's? You promised then not to ask me to wed you until after my eighteenth birthday, which will not be until a year from next July. Why do you think I am a year older than I have always told you? I have never deceived you in regard to my age.

I am glad to hear that Doc and Syd are getting along so well, and very sorry to hear of Larry Cook's sickness. I hope he will recover soon. I sent a pair of socks and a short note by Mr. Wm. Sloan last Wednesday.

Rev. J.M. Brinkley has returned to Marshall to stay a short time, I wish he would return to his regiment (Col. Clarke's) immediately for I know you will be on thorns until you hear is [sic] he's gone for good, but you need have no fear of my ever loving him. I like him very much as a minister of the Gospel, but among ladies, his manners do not suit me. Like all other young preachers, he thinks his ministry alone will carry him through this world.

Your sisters were all at church to-day, looking very well.

Mrs. Davis intends to commence a school tomorrow (Monday).

We have had a very severe rain. It pound [sic] down all day yesterday and the day before, don't you know I enjoyed those long gloomy days? To-day has been very bright and clear, but rather cold for this season of the year with us.

Our dear friend Stephen came in [sic] an inch of being taken prisoner not long ago, while on a scouting expedition. Two of the company he was in were captured, Mr. Watson, and Trowbrigde of the M.G.s[,] and he escaped by hiding in a thicket until after dark, and then returning to the Camp. Adam Hope was with him, don't blame them for hiding, do you?

I saw Katie darling not long ago. She sanguined [sic] any particularly afticon [sic - affection?] and deputized me to offer her congratulations in behalf of your promotion through my next letter. I never deny or admit our relation for the most of our community seem to feel so much interest in our engagement, and consequently never given an answer, when questioned concerning it; but many I know have found it out by my looks when your name is mentioned. I have often tried to control my feelings even from you but I cannot conceal [it].

Your fascinating friend, I cannot vouch for her sincerity; Fannie is of course all cheerfulness and gayety, since the arrival of Jacob (as she calls Mr. B.)[.] I think you are mistaken in regard to his being engaged to Jennette Evans. If he is engaged to any one in Marshall it is Fannie Barnette. [sic - also spelled "Burnett" in another letter]
Your friend Alicia has improved very much since her return from Austin, and is fast regaining her beauty of days past and gone. Our ever true and faithful friend Minnie Hill sends you many kind messages, and requests you to "bring her stray lover George King home with you next June to his almost forgotten Minnie," whose faithfulness, is equaled only by your own dear Jennie. Minnie send [sic] a letter through mine, fearing to send by mail because he is sick. She says please deliver it pro prior persona. [Emphasis added - phrase is Latin for "through the first person"; Minnie is requesting that John Coleman deliver the letter to George King in person] Don't entrust it to anyone and if an opportunity is not presented for you to give it to him, commend it to the flames. I suppose its contents are very important and private.

Kittie says how do you get along [in] these hard times. [sic] She hopes to be among your friends when you return to welcome you back to Old Harrison. She says if she was in my place she wouldn't near let you go back next summer for men will be scarce in this region when the war is over, and I had better hold on to you while I can.

When you write to your brother Tom, mention how Alonzo Hooper is getting along if it is only to tell Bettie that he is well. She rather intimated that she thought it very strange that another of her brothers in law [sic] had never mentioned his name.

With my best wishes in all your undertakings,
I remain as ever your devoted Jennie.

Your very highly appreciated and welcome favor of the 7th inst. was received this morning with many good wishes and affectionate feelings for the dear writer.

I have not been as punctual in writing as I ought to have been, but will try and do better in future. It is true that I have plenty of time and nothing to bother me, but you know sometimes one does not feel like writing even to their nearest and dearest friends[,] especially when they have but very little to write about, and such has been my case for some time past, but at the same time I think as kind and affectionate feelings for you as when I used to write twice a week.

You have a good deal to hinder you from writing as often as you otherwise would, but you must still continue to steal a few moments every week to write, for your letter always cheers me up more than anything in the world, except seeing you about a dozen times during the course of a year. Try and bear up with those who persist in giving you trouble until next June, and then you must stay at home and enjoy some peace of mind, at least for a while. Since writing last I have reconsidered the matter relative to your reenlisting, and I beg of you not to enter the service again. You will perhaps think I have lost my patriotism, but my country is as dear to me as ever, but first in my affections is God, secondly you and then my country.